First Drop of Crimson

Ok, I'm not done with this series... I'm still waiting to snag the next book, "Destined for a Early Grave", but I've enjoyed Jeaniene Frost's series (which I reviewed earlier) so much I also can't wait for this installment of the series. Actually it isn't exactly part of the series as it stars the best friend, Spade. One book I'm looking forward to reading!

From the book: The night is not safe for mortals. Denise MacGregor knows all too well what lurks in the shadows - her best friend is half-vampire Cat Crawfield - and she has already lost more than the average human could bear. But her family's dark past is wrapped in secrets and shrouded in darkness - and a demon shapeshifter has marked Denise as prey. Now her survival depends on an immortal who craves a taste of her.

He is Spade, a powerful, mysterious vampire who has walked the earth for centuries and is now duty-bound to protect this endangered, alluring human - even if it means destroying his own kind. Denise may arouse his deepest hungers, but Spade knows he must fight his urge to have her as they face the demon nightmare together...

Because once the first drop of crimson falls, they will both be lost.

Covet (Fallen Angels, #1)

From the book:

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

This book was not my favorite by J.R. Ward. I actually got this book in the mail yesterday and frantically read it as the review was due today for Blogs with Bite. It was not a horrible book and was interesting enough to sail through most of it but in truth, I didn't really care for it. The main character, Jim was not who I became interested in. Vin and Gretchen were the characters I really cared more about. Jim almost seemed like a side character in the whole book. Something I was disappointed in as I was looking forward to a good paranormal book. Not much paranormal going on. Sure you had demons and angels within the book, but this whole book would have stood on it's own without those characters. We get peeks into the life of Jim, but we don't get to know him. And as frustrated as Jim was about not getting to know his angel "team" members, I was as well. In the end, it was an okay read (not great in the least) and hopefully will eventually lead to more interesting stories about Jim and the angels.

Here are the Blog with Bite discussion questions:

Q#1 - Did you relate to Jim at all? Did you feel like he was a good choice or worthy of this mission?

I didn't really relate much to Jim, but I don't need to always relate to characters to enjoy the story. I liked the fact he had a dog in this story. I think that is how audiences related to him and saw his softer side. I think he was a good choice, and since he won, must have been worthy, but truthfully, I became more interested in the two angels that helped him. I was disappointed that we did not get to learn about Adrian's fight in the end.

Q#2 - How do you feel about the tone of the book? Did you think that there was too much slang/not enough/just enough? How did you feel about the word choice in the book- did it add to your reading of the story or take away from it?

I felt there was too much slang. When everyone has the same slang, it doesn't make sense. They all grew up in different areas, were ancient, paranormal "angels" but all had the same type of talk. It wasn't so bad it got in the way of the story, but enough that I did recognize they all had the same "speak".

Q#3 - When the "fantasy" of the book is based on a belief system that is regarded as truth by some religions (the angels & demons) does it help you relate better with the story, as opposed to a story about vampires and werewolves?

No, not really. We all look to the humanity within the story. The paranormal part of the story actually often enhances the "human" parts we all share. I also recognized belief systems within the theory of this book, most may not. Like having a few individuals upon this earth that keep the balance of good within it. Without those people the earth would be destroyed. It is actually an ancient belief that more than one religion shares.

Q#4 - In the opening of this book we read about a football game analogy of Demons verses Angels, even though this is fiction what do think of Demons in this case Jim the Fallen Angel being portrayed as a "Good Guy"?

In many religions demons aren't always on the "devil's" side. Demons can often have a more general analogy of those that are paranormal. Some are actually neither good or bad. So, for me, I had no problems with this idea. Plus, he didn't become a fallen angel until the end. He was at a crossroads, so he could have played for either side.

Q#5 - How do you feel knowing this will be a 7 book series featuring Jim and he might win all of the battles?

I worry that the books could end up being redundant. The stories and battles could end up being way too familiar very quickly. I would worry about that more than Jim winning all the battles.

MediClim

From the web site:

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I have tried MediClim and found it to be something I can rely on. I use it because I get frequent migraines. So far, I have noticed it has been pretty on target. I don't get a migraine every time I get an alert, and I get migraines when I don't, but it has helped me be more cautious when I get an e-mail from them. Often even if a migraine does not present itself, I do feel tired or altered in some slight way. Makes you more aware of it anyway. It is a good and FREE program to try if you have any of the problems that weather may exacerbate. Give it a try.

Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson #2)

Yes, I did read this book and I didn't forget about it. I just didn't have enough brain power to review it. Well, lets see if the brain cells woke up, shall we? :)

"Blood Bound" by Patricia Briggs held my attention as the first book in this series, "Moon Called". It was quite good for those who love the urban fantasy type of books. Within this book Mercy's vampire friend, Stefan, is looking for some help with a vampire situation and calls in a favor she owes him. The adventure takes off immediately. While on the case with the vampires (and the werewolves get caught in the middle) she learns a bit more about her true nature and why vampires hate coyote shifters. There were a few criticisms I had about the book. One was her inability to chose between Sam and Adam. Not HER inability, I should make clear, but the situation that both create to confuse her more. Sam really bugged me in this area and really needs to figure out what he really wants and then share it with Mercy. Then, she could make a decision and it won't distract from the story.

The second major aspect of the story I had a problem with could possibly be a spoiler for those that haven't read it. So you are duly warned. Why did Mercy not just ask for the vampire they ended up protecting? The vampires owed her a debt, and it seemed to me that it was within the realm of her asking for this to settle things. Now granted some may say it would be a good thing to have vampires in your debt, but it didn't seem like Mercy wanted much to do with them if she could help it. Therefore, why not ask for the favor and call it even? Perhaps it was something I missed but without that part of the story, she may have been confused about Stefan as well. So, even though it was a criticism, I do see how it worked out in the book. Yes, I do recommend this book and this series, so far.

An Evil Post

Since it is that time of year, I thought I'd be a bit evil... or at least spread some evil around. ;) I recently decided I couldn't pass up these bargains for much longer and succumbed to their evil discounts. First, is the Book Depository this place is based in England so it takes a while to get your book in the US, but the discounts are HUGE. Add the fact there is NO SHIPPING worldwide, and it has become evil place (according to my bank statement) number 1! Oh, and yes, all books are brand spanking new!

Second, is Book Closeouts. Okay, so you know I've been crafting my, uh, heiny off so I got a few of those books at a great price. Right now they are having a 1/2 sale (1/2 off THEIR price which is already reduced 75-80%) with their craft books. And, yes, I got a couple of good deals on paranormals with their scratch and dent sale books as well.

Well, I know I'll be back to reading very quickly now. I'll have to since I just increased my TBR quite a bit. Have an evil, awfully wonderful time at these places! ;)